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Holding the VBA to account

Our robust integrity framework requires all our people act with the highest standards of probity to ensure positive consumer outcomes are the focus of what we do.

Our policy

We do not tolerate fraud, corruption, or improper conduct, and any employee engaging in this conduct will be held to account with potential responses including disciplinary action, referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), and making a report to Victoria Police.

All our people are encouraged, supported, and required to report suspected fraud, corruption, and improper conduct. They are regularly required to provide an attestation regarding their understanding of, and compliance with, their obligations.

Every credible allegation is investigated, and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will cooperate fully with any investigations or enquiries by IBAC or the Victorian Ombudsman.

What is fraud, corrupt, or improper conduct?

Fraud is dishonest activity which, in this context, is directed at the VBA by someone outside the organisation. An example is someone who provides the VBA with a falsified document.

Corrupt conduct is defined in the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011 (IBAC Act), and includes:

  • Taking or offering bribes
  • Dishonestly using influence
  • Theft or embezzlement
  • Misusing work information or material
  • Conspire or attempt to do any of the above.

Improper conduct is defined in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (PID Act) and must be either criminal or other conduct specified under the Act. Examples include:

  • Serious professional misconduct
  • Intentional or reckless breach of public trust
  • Conduct adversely affecting the honest performance of a public officer.

Detrimental action is also defined in the PID Act and includes harassment or discrimination, or other adverse action taken against a person in reprisal for having reported improper or corrupt conduct.

Please note the fraud, improper, or corrupt conduct must involve the VBA. For example, allegations of fraud against a practitioner would not fall into one of these categories.

Our people

Our people are thoroughly trained in their obligations under our Code of Conduct, VBA integrity policies, and business rules. They will:

  • Report any attempt to have them act improperly
  • Remove themselves from dealings with family, friends or past professional networks
  • Refuse offers of gifts or hospitality
  • Keep information confidential except for lawful purposes
  • Refrain from business or secondary employment in the industries we regulate.

Practitioners and consumers

Any suggestion that you are offering a bribe to our people will be reported to IBAC and may be reported to Victoria Police. We may also act ourselves using our regulatory powers. We will not accept any subsequent attempt to walk back such comments once they are made.

We also have no tolerance for criminal behaviour by practitioners, the public, or other people we deal with. If you provide the VBA with fraudulent documents or false information, we may notify IBAC, Victoria Police, or take regulatory action. Attempts to threaten or intimidate our people may be similarly reported.

How to make a report

At the VBA, we are proud of our ethical standards, and we are committed to the highest standards of public service in regulating the building and plumbing industries. However, every organisation is susceptible to fraud and corruption.

VBA employees, consumers and anyone in the building and plumbing industries are encouraged to make disclosures of misconduct if they believe someone at the VBA is carrying out fraud or corruption.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 (the Act) helps people to make disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies, and provides protection to people who make disclosures. The Act sets out a system for the disclosed matters to be investigated and enables rectifying action to be taken.

The VBA will work collaboratively with Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) to ensure that any person who makes a disclosure is protected. Any allegations that someone has suffered reprisals from a VBA employee for making a disclosure will be reported to IBAC. We will take disciplinary action if an allegation is substantiated.

How to make a disclosure

Public Interest Disclosure

You can report corruption, improper conduct, or detrimental action to IBAC or the Ombudsman under the PID Act. This Act is designed to make the public sector more open and accountable, by encouraging people to make disclosures and providing protections against you. The IBAC website contains more information about PIDs and reports can be made to:

IBAC
Telephone: 1300 735 135
Email: info@ibac.vic.gov.au

Victorian Ombudsman
Telephone: 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 (regional areas)

IBAC assesses all reports to determine whether they meet the requirements for a PID and, if so, how the disclosure will be followed up.

Reporting to the VBA

You can report fraud direct to our Integrity Unit or to our independently operated reporting hub, Safe2Speak.

We encourage you to report corruption, improper conduct, or detrimental action to IBAC, however, you can choose to lodge your report with the VBA. Please note that reports to the VBA will not attract the PID Act’s protections against detrimental action.

VBA Integrity Unit
Email: integrity@VBA.vic.gov.au

Safe2Speak
Telephone: 1300 30 45 50
Email: safe2speakvba.stoplinereport.com

Or write to:
Safe2Speak  c/o Stopline
P.O. Box 403
Diamond Creek Victoria 3089

Depending on the nature of your report, we may notify IBAC of your allegations.

Other concerns

There are other processes for people who wish to raise concerns not related to fraud, corruption, improper conduct, or detrimental action.

Information regarding complaints about practitioners, which do not involve allegations against the VBA can be found on our Problems and complaints page.

Depending on the nature of the matter concerned, you may be able to request an internal review process. Complaints regarding breaches of privacy can be made via the contact details found on our Privacy Policy page.

See the Complaints about us webpage for concerns regarding VBA policies and processes, the actions and conduct of our staff, overall service standards and handling of complaints.

Reports lodged with the Integrity Unit or via Safe2Speak may be redirected to a more appropriate team at the VBA if they do not concern fraud, improper, corrupt conduct, or detrimental action.

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